Islamic State is a plot by Western countries, Victoria's Al-Taqwa College principal tells students

By Henrietta Cook and education reporter

UpdatedMarch 23, 2015 — 2.08pmfirst published March 22, 2015 — 5.14pm

The principal of Victoria's largest Islamic school tells students not to join Islamic State because it is a plot by Western countries.

Al-Taqwa College principal Omar Hallak told The Age he believed IS was a scheme by Israel and America to control oil in the Middle East. But he said he did not explicitly mention these countries to students, instead telling them some Western countries were behind IS.

"They are trained and equipped by them: [the] evidence is all the shiny new equipment," he said. "We don't believe Muslims are creating IS."

Mr Hallak said killing innocent people was not "the Islamic way".

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Al-Taqwa College in Truganina.Credit:Craig Abraham

"In the mosque, we talk to them many times. We show them evidence it's not linked to Islam."

He said radicalisation was not an issue at the school because students were educated to be good Australian Muslims. He said the Truganina school, in Melbourne's outer-west, appealed to parents because of its strong focus on discipline.

"We have not had any problems here," he said. "We are Australian Muslims and have to follow Australian law."

There are 1950 students enrolled at Al-Taqwa College this year, making it the largest Islamic school in the state. Students at the P-12 coeducational school are predominantly Sunni.

Omar Hallak principal of Al-Taqwa College).

Some Victorian schools are grappling with the threat of radicalisation. The Education Department has appointed an adviser to promote social cohesion in schools following the death of 18-year-old Numan Haider, who was shot dead last year after stabbing two counter-terrorism police officers in Endeavour Hills. It has also strengthened its ties to Victoria Police, with nominated staff in regional offices throughout the state working with police to provide advice and support to schools. Earlier in March, former Craigieburn Secondary College teenager Jake Bilardi was believed to have died in an IS suicide bombing in Iraq.

Islamic Council of Victoria spokesman Kuranda Seyit, who is also a teacher, said he did not support Mr Hallak's comments.

"The important thing here is to focus on the students and the young people related to this, to give them as much support as possible and to really educate them about the true and positive message of Islam and how it is important to manage a peaceful and non-violent approach."

Mr Seyit said the principal's comments might "muddy" this message.

"Everyone has a right to have their own theories and beliefs but I don't think we should be confusing young people.

"In Australia we are very protective of our harmony and the strong relationships we have nurtured, and it's very important we don't jeopardise those relationships."

Mr Seyit is developing an anti-radicalisation program for a Victorian school, which he hopes is expanded if successful.

The pilot program is direct response to the rise of IS and the uprising in Syria and will teach students about Islam's "middle way". Mr Seyit said the program was overdue and would address topics including jihad, suicide bombing and fighting overseas.

In February, The Age revealed that the Australian Principals Federation was receiving frequent inquiries from principals who were struggling to deal with the radicalised behaviour of students and parents.

One Melbourne principal told The Age two children at their government primary school had parents who were fighting for IS in Syria.